3C Sustainable Route
3C Project
The 3Cs - Cycling, Campus & City Program will facilitate travel between Cities and Campuses through more sustainable means of transport and promoting the health and well-being of the universities community.
The central scope of this working group under the Erasmus + programme is to promote sustainability through sport and ecological mobility and identify, promote, improve, and enhance an active and green mobility. Bicycle, whether electric or conventional, will be used as the main means of transport, and cycle paths will be identified and promoted, primarily to, from and within the university campus and the city. Other forms of healthy and active mobility will also be explored in this project such as walking. Overall, it aims to identify good practices, collect data from the pilot group of participants by using a tool produced by the project and through two studies (habits and behaviours and best routes), collect practical and educational content, promote sustainable travel habits, change behaviours for greater local and European impact and raise awareness of the importance of contributing to a greener world through sport and use of sustainable means of transport.
The “3Cs - Cycling, Campus & City” project is funded by the European Union.
A sustainable route connecting the 4 Campi
This route (in test mode) will connect the 4 campi of the Project’s partners:
- Universidade de Coimbra
- Universidad Camilo Jose Cel, Centro de Ensenanza Universitaria Sek Saucjc (Madrid)
- Universite Paul-Valery Montpellier 3
- Universita Degli Studi di Torino
Only sustainable transportation is used, such as walking, cycling, train, and ferry.
Destination spots with available amenities, including food, camping, and accommodation.
Route profile for easy ride (not superman/woman).
Stages from 35 to 100 km long.
Madrid - Coimbra
This connection is a challenge. The train line which offers the best connection in Portugal is suspended for improvements until 2026.
Option 1
| Stage | Start | End | Distance | Gain | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salamanca, ES | La Fuente de San Estebam, ES | 66 | 550 | 3.8 | |
| 2 | La Fuente de San Estebam, ES | Vilar Formoso, PT | 64 | 590 | 4.5 | |
| 3 | Vilar Formoso, PT | Guarda, PT | 51 | 1000 | 3.0 | |
| 4 | Guarda, PT | Fornos de Algodres, PT | 48 | 1050 | Down, flat and then hilly | |
| 5 | Fornos de Algodres, PT | Santa Comba Dao, PT | 77 | 1700 | 4.5 | Down, but hilly |
| 6 | Santa Comba Dao, PT | Coimbra, PT | 52 | 1300 | 3.0 | A 5km steep hill at 24km |
Statistics
- Total Bike Distance: 358 km
- Total Up Gain: 6190 m
- Total Days: 7
- Days on Bike: 6
- Accommodation cost: 365 €
- Train cost: 20 €
- Food cost: 280 €
- Total cost per person: 665 €
- [Extra] Air and Train cost (from Lisbon to Start and from End to Lisbon): 90 €
Pros and Cons
- Train to Salamanca jumps arid region
- Less days, with balanced distances
- Not very hard stages
- Uses some secondary state roads
Option 2
| Stage | Start | End | Distance | Gain | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avila, ES | Penaranda de Bracamonte, ES | 58 | 630 | 4.0 | |
| 2 | Penaranda de Bracamonte, ES | Salamanca, ES | 51 | 170 | 3.3 | |
| 3 | Salamanca, ES | La Fuente de San Estebam, ES | 66 | 550 | 3.8 | |
| 4 | La Fuente de San Estebam, ES | Vilar Formoso, PT | 64 | 590 | 4.5 | |
| 5 | Vilar Formoso, PT | Guarda, PT | 51 | 1000 | 3.0 | |
| 6 | Guarda, PT | Fornos de Algodres, PT | 48 | 1050 | Down, flat and then hilly | |
| 7 | Fornos de Algodres, PT | Santa Comba Dao, PT | 77 | 1700 | 4.5 | Down, but hilly |
| 8 | Santa Comba Dao, PT | Coimbra, PT | 52 | 1300 | 3.0 | A 5km steep hill at 24km |
Statistics
- Total Bike Distance: 467 km
- Total Up Gain: 6990 m
- Total Days: 9
- Days on Bike: 8
- Accommodation cost: 480 €
- Train cost: 13 €
- Food cost: 360 €
- Total cost per person: 853 €
- [Extra] Air and Train cost (from Lisbon to Start and from End to Lisbon): 90 €
Pros and Cons
- More days
- Not very hard stages
- Uses some secondary state roads
Madrid - Montpellier
For all the options, we opt to take the high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona and start biking from there.
Option 1
| Stage | Start | End | Distance | Gain | Duration | EuroVelo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona, ES | Blanes, ES | 67 | 1060 | 4.2 | Yes | Ends with a small climb |
| 2 | Blanes, ES | Sant Feliu de Guíxols, ES | 77 | 1200 | 2.8 | Yes | |
| 3 | Sant Feliu de Guíxols, ES | L’Escala, ES | 58 | 560 | 3.7 | Yes | |
| 4 | L’Escala, ES | Maureillas-las-lllas, FR | 68 | 860 | 4.5 | Yes | |
| 5 | Maureillas-las-lllas, FR | Le Barcarès, FR | 59 | 150 | 3.3 | Yes | Downhill |
| 6 | Le Barcarès, FR | Portiragnes, FR | 85 | 440 | 5.3 | Yes | |
| 7 | Portiragnes, FR | Montpellier, FR | 79 | 388 | 4.5 | Yes | Ends with a climb |
Statistics
- Total Bike Distance: 493 km
- Total Up Gain: 4658 m
- Total Days: 8
- Days on Bike: 7
- Accommodation cost: 465 €
- Train cost: 20 €
- Food cost: 320 €
- Total cost per person: 805 €
- [Extra] Air cost (from Lisbon to Start and from End to Lisbon): 220 €
Pros and Cons
- 1 day longer
- shorter stages
- has some compact gravel roads
Option 2
| Stage | Start | End | Distance | Gain | Duration | EuroVelo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona, ES | Lloret del Mar, ES | 74 | 1350 | 4.8 | Part | Busy 3.5km road between Blanes and Lloret to avoid steep hill |
| 2 | Lloret del Mar, ES | L’Escala, ES | 107 | 1450 | 5.5 | Part | Busy road uphill for 12km, including a tunnel |
| 3 | L’Escala, ES | Maureillas-las-lllas, FR | 68 | 860 | 4.5 | Yes | |
| 4 | Maureillas-las-lllas, FR | Le Barcarès, FR | 59 | 150 | 3.3 | Yes | Downhill |
| 5 | Le Barcarès, FR | Portiragnes, FR | 85 | 440 | 5.3 | Yes | |
| 6 | Portiragnes, FR | Montpellier, FR | 79 | 388 | 4.5 | Yes | Ends with a climb |
Statistics
- Total Bike Distance: 472 km
- Total Up Gain: 4638 m
- Total Days: 7
- Days on Bike: 6
- Accommodation cost: 405 €
- Train cost: 20 €
- Food cost: 280 €
- Total cost per person: 705 €
- [Extra] Air cost (from Lisbon to Start and from End to Lisbon): 220 €
Pros and Cons
- 1 day shorter
- 1 long stage (100 km) in busy roads uphill
- has some compact gravel roads
Montpellier - Turin
Option 1
| Stage | Start | End | Distance | Gain | Duration | EuroVelo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montpellier, FR | Saint Gilles, FR | 67 | 168 | 4.0 | Yes | Downhill and then flat |
| 2 | Saint Gilles, FR | Cavaillon, FR | 72 | 210 | 4.0 | Yes | Climb at 42 km, Saint Remy de Provence |
| 3 | Cavailon, FR | Manosque, FR | 79 | 1220 | 4.4 | Part (64km) | 1% uphill for 70km. After Reillanne is on road, 4km uphill and then downhill |
| 6 | Limone Piemonte, IT | Moretta, IT | 79 | 1000 | 4.5 | Part | Always downhiill |
| 7 | Moretta, IT | Turin, IT | 49 | 140 | 2.5 | Yes | Flat |
Statistics
- Total Bike Distance: 346 km
- Total Up Gain: 2738 m
- Total Days: 9
- Days on Bike: 5
- Accommodation cost: 530 €
- Train cost: 70 €
- Food cost: 360 €
- Total cost per person: 960 €
- [Extra] Air cost (from Lisbon to Start and from End to Lisbon): 280 €
Pros and Cons
- 2 days on train (6h + 3h30)
- 1 longer stage 79km with constant 1% uphill
- cheaper
Option 2
| Stage | Start | End | Distance | Gain | Duration | EuroVelo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montpellier, FR | Saint Gilles, FR | 67 | 168 | 4.0 | Yes | Downhill and then flat |
| 2 | Saint Gilles, FR | Cavaillon, FR | 72 | 210 | 4.0 | Yes | Climb at 42 km, Saint Remy de Provence |
| 3 | Cavaillon, FR | Apt, FR | 34 | 340 | 1.8 | Yes | 1% uphill |
| 4 | Apt, FR | Manosque, FR | 46 | 1180 | 2.5 | Part (31km) | 1% uphill for 31km. After Reillanne is on road, 4km uphill and then downhill |
| 7 | Limone Piemonte, IT | Moretta, IT | 79 | 1000 | 4.5 | Part | Always downhiill |
| 8 | Moretta, IT | Turin, IT | 49 | 140 | 2.5 | Yes | Flat |
Statistics
- Total Bike Distance: 347 km
- Total Up Gain: 3038 m
- Total Days: 10
- Days on Bike: 6
- Accommodation cost: 600 €
- Train cost: 70 €
- Food cost: 400 €
- Total cost per person: 1070 €
- [Extra] Air cost (from Lisbon to Start and from End to Lisbon): 280 €
Pros and Cons
- 2 days on train (6h + 3h30)
- 2 shorter stages
Option 3
| Stage | Start | End | Distance | Gain | Duration | EuroVelo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montpellier, FR | Saint Gilles, FR | 67 | 168 | 4.0 | Yes | Downhill and then flat |
| 2 | Saint Gilles, FR | Cavaillon, FR | 72 | 210 | 4.0 | Yes | Climb at 42 km, Saint Remy de Provence |
| 3 | Cavailon, FR | Manosque, FR | 79 | 1220 | 4.4 | Part (64km) | 1% uphill for 70km. After Reillanne is on road, 4km uphill and then downhill |
| 5 | Draguignan, FR | Cannes | 75 | 2000 | 4.5 | Low gradients | |
| 6 | Cannes, FR | Nice, FR | 35 | 400 | 2.3 | Yes | |
| 8 | Meyrargues, FR | Draguignan, FR | 99 | 1800 | 6.0 | Short gravel tracks | |
| 9 | Limone Piemonte, IT | Moretta, IT | 79 | 1000 | 4.5 | Part | Always downhiill |
| 10 | Moretta, IT | Turin, IT | 49 | 140 | 2.5 | Yes | Flat |
Statistics
- Total Bike Distance: 555 km
- Total Up Gain: 6938 m
- Total Days: 10
- Days on Bike: 8
- Accommodation cost: 610 €
- Train cost: 25 €
- Food cost: 400 €
- Total cost per person: 1035 €
- [Extra] Air cost (from Lisbon to Start and from End to Lisbon): 280 €
Pros and Cons
- 1 longer stage 99 km, with 1800m gain
- still less days, but more on bike
- Scenic route
- Second best option
Option 4
| Stage | Start | End | Distance | Gain | Duration | EuroVelo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montpellier, FR | Saint Gilles, FR | 67 | 168 | 4.0 | Yes | Downhill and then flat |
| 2 | Saint Gilles, FR | Cavaillon, FR | 72 | 210 | 4.0 | Yes | Climb at 42 km, Saint Remy de Provence |
| 3 | Cavaillon, FR | Apt, FR | 34 | 340 | 1.8 | Yes | 1% uphill |
| 4 | Apt, FR | Manosque, FR | 46 | 1180 | 2.5 | Part (31km) | 1% uphill for 31km. After Reillanne is on road, 4km uphill and then downhill |
| 6 | Draguignan, FR | Cannes | 75 | 2000 | 4.5 | Low gradients | |
| 7 | Cannes, FR | Nice, FR | 35 | 400 | 2.3 | Yes | |
| 9 | Meyrargues, FR | Draguignan, FR | 99 | 1800 | 6.0 | Short gravel tracks | |
| 10 | Limone Piemonte, IT | Moretta, IT | 79 | 1000 | 4.5 | Part | Always downhiill |
| 11 | Moretta, IT | Turin, IT | 49 | 140 | 2.5 | Yes | Flat |
Statistics
- Total Bike Distance: 556 km
- Total Up Gain: 7238 m
- Total Days: 11
- Days on Bike: 9
- Accommodation cost: 680 €
- Train cost: 25 €
- Food cost: 440 €
- Total cost per person: 1145 €
- [Extra] Air cost (from Lisbon to Start and from End to Lisbon): 280 €
Pros and Cons
- 1 longer stage 99 km, with 1800m gain
- more days
- Scenic route
Option 5
| Stage | Start | End | Distance | Gain | Duration | EuroVelo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montpellier, FR | Saint Gilles, FR | 67 | 168 | 4.0 | Yes | Downhill and then flat |
| 2 | Saint Gilles, FR | Cavaillon, FR | 72 | 210 | 4.0 | Yes | Climb at 42 km, Saint Remy de Provence |
| 3 | Cavailon, FR | Manosque, FR | 79 | 1220 | 4.4 | Part (64km) | 1% uphill for 70km. After Reillanne is on road, 4km uphill and then downhill |
| 5 | Meyrargues, FR | Salernes, FR | 67 | 1100 | 4.0 | ||
| 6 | Salernes, FR | Tourrettes, FR | 71 | 1900 | 4.0 | ||
| 7 | Tourrettes, FR | Nice, FR | 68 | 1150 | 4.0 | At 10km goes down and up a valley. From 23km always flat. | |
| 9 | Limone Piemonte, IT | Moretta, IT | 79 | 1000 | 4.5 | Part | Always downhiill |
| 10 | Moretta, IT | Turin, IT | 49 | 140 | 2.5 | Yes | Flat |
Statistics
- Total Bike Distance: 552 km
- Total Up Gain: 6888 m
- Total Days: 11
- Days on Bike: 8
- Accommodation cost: 665 €
- Train cost: 25 €
- Food cost: 440 €
- Total cost per person: 1130 €
- [Extra] Air cost (from Lisbon to Start and from End to Lisbon): 280 €
Pros and Cons
- less days, and not very long routes
- 1 rest day in Limone Piemonte (Train)
- Scenic route
Option 6
| Stage | Start | End | Distance | Gain | Duration | EuroVelo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montpellier, FR | Saint Gilles, FR | 67 | 168 | 4.0 | Yes | Downhill and then flat |
| 2 | Saint Gilles, FR | Cavaillon, FR | 72 | 210 | 4.0 | Yes | Climb at 42 km, Saint Remy de Provence |
| 3 | Cavaillon, FR | Apt, FR | 34 | 340 | 1.8 | Yes | 1% uphill |
| 4 | Apt, FR | Manosque, FR | 46 | 1180 | 2.5 | Part (31km) | 1% uphill for 31km. After Reillanne is on road, 4km uphill and then downhill |
| 6 | Meyrargues, FR | Salernes, FR | 67 | 1100 | 4.0 | ||
| 7 | Salernes, FR | Tourrettes, FR | 71 | 1900 | 4.0 | ||
| 8 | Tourrettes, FR | Nice, FR | 68 | 1150 | 4.0 | At 10km goes down and up a valley. From 23km always flat. | |
| 10 | Limone Piemonte, IT | Moretta, IT | 79 | 1000 | 4.5 | Part | Always downhiill |
| 11 | Moretta, IT | Turin, IT | 49 | 140 | 2.5 | Yes | Flat |
Statistics
- Total Bike Distance: 553 km
- Total Up Gain: 7188 m
- Total Days: 12
- Days on Bike: 9
- Accommodation cost: 725 €
- Train cost: 25 €
- Food cost: 480 €
- Total cost per person: 1230 €
- [Extra] Air cost (from Lisbon to Start and from End to Lisbon): 280 €
Pros and Cons
- more days, and not very long routes
- 1 rest day in Limone Piemonte (Train)
- Scenic route
- the most expensive option